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Virginia Baptist Women in Ministry Fall Conference

“Storytelling and Worship” was the theme of Virginia Baptist Women in Ministry’s Fall Conference held September 29-30, 2006 at Williamsburg Baptist Church and the Williamsburg Hospitality House.

Featuring Kate Campbell, nationally known Singer and Songwriter in concert, the conference included seminars, informal fellowship and worship. “Kate Campbell’s gifts and talents provided the perfect combination of inspiration and challenge to each of our ministries. We closed the weekend feeling renewed and energized to return to our vocational callings,” said Victoria Atkinson White who is a member of the host church.
On Saturday morning participants chose from three seminars on storytelling and worship. Dr. Tracy Hartman, Daniel O. Aleshire Professor of Practical Theology, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, led a seminar on “Reaching Postmoderns Through Narrative Preaching”. Dr. Deborah Loftis, Professor of Church Music at BTSR, provided “Music Resources for Worship.” The Rev. Suzanne Stovall Vinson, Minister of Christian Education at Ginter Park Baptist Church, Richmond, led participants in “Exploring Story Through Art.” “An emphasis on the power of stories in our lives and ministries at this year’s conference,” said Mary Richerson Mann, “was particularly meaningful. I am always blessed at these gatherings; for when they come to an end, I feel renewed, refreshed, and empowered to go and serve as a woman in the ministry

Suzanne Stovall Vinson and Mary Mann planned the closing worship around the theme of “Sharing Her Story: A Service for Hope, Healing and Restoration.” Stephanie Hamilton, Deborah Loftis, Kate Campbell, Ana Karim, Becky Glass, Elizabeth Rickert Dowdy, Amy Holts, Barbara Sadtler, Jenny Call and Judith Bailey shared leadership in the service, which concluded with communion. Continuing VBWIM's support of scholarships for women, Deb Loftis announced that the offering during worship would go toward a scholarship for Meekie Glayweon, a first year student at Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary in Monrovia. The generous $941 offering received is more than enough to pay the $750 cost of a year's tuition.

Amy Holtz, who took the lead in the conference planning, describes the conference as “a wonderful expression of who we are as Virginia Baptists. The giftedness of so many women was utilized - and the spirit of cooperation helped to create an amazing experience for all who attended. I left the conference feeling refreshed, and took with me some tangible lessons that I will incorporate into my ministry.”

VBWIM will meet a again for dinner, November 9, 5:30 P.M. at the DoubleTree Hotel in Virginia Beach during the Baptist General Association Meeting. For reservations contact Judith Bailey at Judith@bledsoebailey.com or
(804) 740-4037.

In all captions individuals are identified from left to right.

Barbara Sadtler, Jan Bazow, Becky Glass, Kim Chaffee, Karen Powell

Stephanie Hamilton, Ana Karim, Kate Campbell

Moses Joshua, Jerusha Moses, Angie Hoff, Brian Hoff

Ana Karim and Suzanne Stovall Vinson

Elizabeth Rickert Dowdy (holding Ava White),
Victoria Atkinson White, Susan Morris